Disinfo: Russia is the most liberal country where everyone has the opportunity to speak

Summary

Russia is the most liberal country where everyone who is not lazy has the opportunity to speak. Meanwhile, in the advanced so-called Western countries, media are closed and they don’t accredit those who don’t please them.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative aimed at portraying the West as depraved, and Russia as the superior country. According to the 2019 World Press Freedom Index, Russia is in 149th place out of 180 countries. "Leading independent news outlets have either been brought under control or throttled out of existence. As TV channels continue to inundate viewers with propaganda, the climate has become very oppressive for those who question the new patriotic and neoconservative discourse, or just try to maintain quality journalism. More journalists are now in prison than at any time since the fall of the Soviet Union and more and more bloggers are being jailed", the report claims. Furthermore, according to Freedom House, Russia is not free country. "Pervasive, hyper-patriotic propaganda and political repression, particularly since the Russian forces’ invasion of Ukraine in 2014, have had a cumulative impact on open and free private discussion, and the chilling effect is exacerbated by growing state efforts to control expression on the internet. The government’s surveillance capabilities have increased significantly in recent years, and while most citizens are not subject to regular state supervision, authorities are thought to monitor the activities and personal communications of activists, journalists, and opposition members, according to the human rights organisation Agora".

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radiovesti.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 159
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26/07/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia
  • Keywords: Media, Russian world
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Disinfo: Bulgarians have not seen any significant benefits from membership of the EU and NATO

Bulgarians have not seen any significant benefits from EU membership. Furthermore, they benefited even less from joining NATO.

Jul 25, 2019
Disproof

These claims are false. Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007; as a result, its GDP, exports, average annual wages, as well as a share of products created in their economies by the industrial sector increased. In 2006, before joining the European Union, Bulgaria’s GDP was estimated at USD 34.4 billion; in 2016, this figure increased to USD 52.4 billion. In 2006, the GDP per capita was equal to USD 6 107.71 and in 2016 it increased to USD 7 926. European countries account for 78% of Bulgarian exports. Find out more about how Bulgaria benefits from EU funding. In addition, the EU accession process helps the countries concerned build their capacity to adopt and implement EU law, as well as European and international standards. For similar disinformation cases about Bulgarian membership of the EU see here and here. Regarding the NATO claim, all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe which have joined NATO over the past decade have enjoyed peace, security and cooperation with their neighbours since then, Bulgaria included.

Disinfo: In the Baltic States Russophobia and neo-Nazism are established at the state level

In the Baltic States Russophobia is established at the state level. The Baltic States propagate neo-Nazi ideas, persecute human rights defenders, close down media outlets. All of this resembles pre-war Nazi Germany.

Jul 25, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia and Nazism in the Baltic countries. The disinformation message appeared after Latvia blocked the access to the Baltnews portal. The decision citing EU sanctions to Russia was made after Latvian ministry of foreign affairs indicated that the portal belongs to the Rossiya Segodnya news agency, which is headed by Dmitry Kiselyov, who is on the EU’s list of sanctioned persons. Other Baltic States also recognize Baltnews portals as Russia's state financed propaganda media outlets. (See National Threat Assessment 2017 by the Lithuanian State Security Department). See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the Baltic states openly glorify Nazism and that Russophobia is the main export of Lithuania.

Disinfo: The strategic aim of the UK Conservative party is Russia's collapse

Boris Johnson will hardly become Russia’s friend because the Conservative Party has made a strategic bet, that if something should crumble in the East, they would become the masters. Britain will continue to spare no expense to rock the the political situation in Russia and around it.

Jul 25, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory consistent with a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West encircling Russia. See similar disinformation cases about Western "Great Turan" doctrine aimed at creating a ring of unfriendly states along Russia's southern border, anti-Russian plan for an "Anaconda ring", Western attempts to break Russia up into a few nominally independent states.